There are some thinkers that theorize the presence of Divines makes Arda exceptional to some degree. This idea is enabled by certain Divines, although it is rarer in those that have more experience in the highest ranks. Amongst the White Pantheon, I do not think there exist any who would claim that Divinity pushes Arda up to some mythical power level that would enable this world to forgo diplomacy. On the Imperial front, I can only speculate about what they think regarding such things. The simple fact of the matter is that even though Divinity is powerful, we are no more powerful than the Royal lineages of Tartarus or the Arch Angels of Paraideisius.

Yet I would actually say that Arda is in a unique diplomatic position compared to the other worlds, although that unique diplomatic position is not one an enviable one by any means. That is in regards to the Paraideisius' Seraphim and Tartarus' Arch-Demons. Both are races of mountain-sized beings that should be unstoppable by all normal means. The uniqueness stems from the fact that these huge entities were diplomatically engaged with and eventually assimilated into the societies of those worlds.

I remember when Allasaria returned with the first choirs from Paraideisius, how smugly they looked upon us. I remember a specialist gate was opened to allow a Seraphim into our world. Allasaria had thought the war would end by then although she is one of the youngest of the Pantheon. Only Kavaa, Elassa and Atis are her juniors after all. The original Forces are still the original ancients after all. Maisara is the odd-one out for she was not there to witness the Concordats be signed. Although I stray off-topic, those were one of my greatest victories.

In a way, Arda truly is unique. Paraideisius and Tartarus both made peace with their most powerful races. I know only hearsay of their histories, but Paraideisius especially reads to me like children who sit down and simply share their toys. Tartarus, for how callous it is with life, operates as if it is on the edge of crisis at all moments and that fosters some sort of cooperation within the demons.

On Arda, the Concordats were not signed because I and Arascus represented humanity before the Dragons. Frankly, they were not original either. There were plenty of other attempts at diplomacy with dragons. The Concordats were revolutionary because the Concordats were successful. And the Concordats were successful not because of great treaties and fair dealings but because a month before the first meeting, humanity killed their first dragon. By the time it came to initial meeting, ten of the serpents would never breathe flame again.

From that basis, the Concordats served as the basis of all Ardan diplomacy. The first success humanity, and by extension Divinity, ever had in that field was achieved once we waded knee-deep in blood.

I suppose I did lie, although I do not think so. There was a time when Arda had something equivalent to what we call Seraphim and Arch-Demons. Here, they were known as Titans. There was no diplomacy to be had with those monsters. They never bothered to reciprocate any human's attempt at communication although I cannot lie and pretend it was one-sided. Humanity never tried hard in the first place.

There are no Titans anymore.

I cannot lie. It was satisfying when I saw their smugness wiped away. Kassandora is young and Kassandora fought against us in that conflict, but Kassandora did not disappoint. She did live up to her title.

This text will never get published.

- Excerpt from "A Personal Look at the Great War." Written by Goddess Fortia, of Peace.

Kavaa once again found herself in the parking lot of Anver. Arascus had gone off to deal with the supporting Bureaucrats who worked to assist the Clerics, but other than that, he had nothing to do and would be back as soon as the meeting finished. She had gone through the entire hospital staff, now she was looking through the general population for souls to be blessed with. Normally, she would never bother trying to recruit civilians. They were too hopeful and too optimistic and far too untouched by the horrors of this world to be able to last long as a Cleric. Most would burn out quickly, especially once they realised that the war for humanity's good health was pointless and yet needed. It was impossible to win and Kavaa had long since given up that she would be able to cure mankind of disease through her power but likewise, it was a war that still needed to be fought.

Civilians usually thought that being a Cleric was simply laying hands on a body and having that be it. They could not even conceive of walking into a home that smelled of rotting death because every body needed to be identified, they would not be able to stand and tell a father he would have to bury his son, they would not see the effects illness, plague and disease had on the mind. And they would stand and waste energy trying to heal illnesses of the mind that Kavaa's power could not touch.

But the UNN had been struck by the great tidal wave after Elassa cracked Arika. Parents burying their children here was the norm and the entire nation had taken a concussion to the head. If Kavaa had to scout Epan populations, she would maybe find one in one hundred who were naturally cut out to be one of her blessed. Here, that rose to one in ten. Stood in from of them, she could already spot souls that she knew would pass her requirements. Anver Health flanked them to one side, then the tall city blocks of the UNN's temporary administrative capital rose around them. The city had grown slightly in the few days, Kavaa assumed they had Ciria to thank for that.

Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

But first, before she got to any blessing, she saw the lines of the most eager boys and girls who had come to test their luck. That was the way to describe them, not men and women but boys and girls with wide eyes and soft hands and clean nails and honest, excited smiles. Kavaa could not bring herself to trust anyone who was excited to enter a hospital. It didn't matter whether they were a doctor or a patient.

The Goddess of Health moved her arm, her black uniform swaying with her. She didn't bother bringing the cap, her grey hair spilled down her back as her finger pointed to the entire front row. Smiles grew wider, eyes became even more open, one of these children even brought out a phone and started to record the moment. Kavaa didn't know why, rejection from a Divine was tough thing to forget. They wouldn't need a video to make sure that this moment would last.

"Every one I just pointed to can leave. You are not cut out to be Clerics." Kavaa said and saw smiles instantly twist and eyes immediately sharpen. There, she was proven correct. They had come so happy and humble when they thought Kavaa could provide but now that she rejected, true feelings came out. It was always like this. "If you do not leave." Kavaa said. "Then I will, we have nothing to attend to here. As I said, you lot are not cut out to be."

The Goddess of Health never pretended to be patient. Kavaa turned and pointed to the end of the car park to get them moving. And before she could say anything, her hand dropped and she saw a Goddess with dirty-blonde hair approaching her. The woman wore a blue uniform and she had deep, dark blue eyes to match. There was a cold confidence in her step, the sort that said she felt as if she owned this place. Kavaa supposed she did. This was Etala's land after all. Kavaa stood in silence, a small percentage of the two dozen she had picked out began to peel off, most stayed behind.

"Welcome again Kavaa." Etala said when she got within earshot. "I am glad you are back."

Etala finally came to a stop and Kavaa watched her with wary eyes. "I appreciate the greetings." Kavaa said coldly. "I'm working." When she learned that Arascus had not been lying and was truly coming with her, it had eased her nerves massively. Now, she looked at the Goddess of Democracy get closer to her in that blue suit of hers and they were spiking up again. It was even worse than when she was alone because now, there would be someone to witness her losing control.

"I see that." Etala said. "I have not come to question you this time." She said, bowing her head slightly. "And apologies for last time Kavaa. I did not mean for you to take it badly." Kavaa turned back to the throngs of men that had come to be tested for her blessing.

"Leave it Etala." No reason for anything else to be said frankly. Kavaa looked at the next man, an aged fellow in his sixties. That was surprising, it was rare for someone that age to have the energy for most things, much less for joining a Holy Order. Kavaa looked into his dark eyes and he looked up to meet her. The human who only reached up to her waist met in the same way that Arascus or Kassandora would meet her. There was no shine in those eyes, no smile on his wrinkled face which had been shaved clean. His clothes too were obviously prepared and well-maintained but definitely not new either. Kavaa asked the question. "Who did you lose?"

And the man answered immediately. "Everyone." He answered quicky. Kavaa noticed a lack of her title. She didn't particularly care. When men got to the ends of their lives, Kavaa started cutting them some slack. She didn't need anymore questions and frankly, she did not need to ask him whether he was lying or not. Frankly, Kavaa just believed him. She said her hand on his forehead and immediately, the man's body began to taste the benefits of her blessings. His skin grew tighter again, his posture became straighter and his movements smoother. Yet his dire expression did not change.

"It is done." Kavaa said. "Go inside, there'll be Clerics waiting for you."

"Thank you." The old man said and began to walk off. The young people that were still stood here all looked as if they were seething with envy at the fellow. Kavaa knew they would probably the level of favour she was doing for them. They would not make it as Clerics, and she had seen what happened to men that she blessed and then took power from. They typically lasted a few months at the most.

"Kavaa." Etala said.

"I am working." Kavaa said again. She simply did not want to talk to the woman. This was why Arascus had come, she just had to last for a little while longer and then the God of Pride would come in to assist her against this endless moralizing.

"I actually came to warn you." Etala said. "So that you can prepare. Ciria is coming."

Kavaa rolled her eyes in response. How long would Arascus be? Certainly he could not be any longer than an hour. Then that was how long she would have to last. As if on queue, Ciria turned a corner, a full cohort of UNN diplomats behind her including prisoner Kochinski. "If you need me to." Etala began and trailed off.

Kavaa didn't want to but if she was going to have an argument, then an argument she would have. They had come without announcing themselves specifically so that Arascus could run by the administrators being brought in to see how they were doing. Kavaa had faced the armies down before, she was not going to run from some idealistic little chit who came strolling around in a white dress as if she was some discount Allasaria. So she stood and said nothing as Ciria approached. Etala took a few steps back as she nervously watched her new party meet Kavaa. "Kavaa!" Ciria said.

Kavaa replied with her usual answer. "I am working Ciria."

"We're not playing this game." Ciria said. "I have come to know what the-" Etala's scowl was quickly swept away by a booming voice which interrupted Ciria. Arascus' voice, he hovered in the air high above them.

"I agree Ciria." Arascus' voice boomed across the entire crowded car park as everyone began to look up. "We are not playing this game."

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